Uthai thani: A Thai farmer has announced her decision to abandon rice cultivation following her final harvest this month, as surging fuel and fertilizer costs have rendered the profession unsustainable.

According to Thai News Agency, Jamroon, a 70-year-old farmer residing in Uthai Thani province, expressed her deep concern over the current fuel prices, which have surpassed 50 baht per liter. This increase has hindered her ability to operate water pumps, resulting in her 20-rai (3.2-hectare) plot of land becoming dry and her rice grains remaining underdeveloped. "I've farmed my whole life and never seen fuel this expensive," Jamroon remarked. "I can't go on anymore."

In addition to the prohibitive fuel costs, Jamroon faces escalating fertilizer prices, which have risen sharply from 800 baht to nearly 1,300 baht per bag. This price hike has significantly affected her expected yield, which has plummeted from 25 tonnes to fewer than 8 tonnes. At the current market price of 5,800 baht per tonne, the harvest will not suffice to cover her investment.

Logistical expenses have further compounded her challenges, with harvester rental fees increasing to 600 baht per rai. Moreover, contractors now demand that the farmer provide additional fuel. Faced with these insurmountable costs, Jamroon plans to leave her land fallow after this harvest, citing her inability to manage the record-high expenses.